Fritz Waechtler- Merit beyond the badge

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Tom Wright

Fritz is so right. And there is more. American employers, and I once was one, have a universal respect for the rank of Eagle Scout. The rank is a unique qualification no mere high school diploma can match. Employers know achieving the rank requires ethics, integrity, and leadership to a very high level, with standards kept high by Boy Scouts' national headquarters, each regional council, and a boy's local troop leadership. There is no grade inflation or politically correct sleight-of-hand that eases the attaining of Eagle Scout. This is why dozens of universities, local Boy Scout councils, and religious, civic, and military organizations offer college scholarships to Eagle Scouts. This why resumes that include "Eagle Scout" rise to the top of human resources' stacks of applicants. Eagle Scouts may automatically earn higher rank and higher pay grades on joining U.S. armed forces. Of the 12 men who walked on the Moon, 11 were Eagle Scouts. There are few, if any, programs so universally valuable to the individual earning the rank or to a society that enjoys the contributions of such individuals.

03:26 pm - Fri, October 25 2013

headphone

I concur with Tom's comment above. It is a great recognition of values, commitment, and hard work to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Fritz - in his humble way - left out mention of the long hours and commitment of a great Scoutmaster (of which he is one) that are also required to help these young men get to the paramount goal. In a world that so needs strong values and leadership, people like Fritz step up to the plate and give huge amounts of time and energy to help turn out these great young men. Thanks to Fritz, and all those who give their time and energy to the Scouting program.

08:33 pm - Wed, October 30 2013

Lulu

Why do I find the urban legend introducing this piece so offensive? The son is lazy, the mother is deceiving while the patriarch--in every sense of the word--is passive aggressive and remote.

10:48 am - Sun, November 3 2013

glw

Why dont we look at the meaning of the story and not be so pc. I earned my Eagle Scout badge in 1972 just before my 18th birthday. It has been a honor to have had so many people that supported me to achieve that rank in scouting. So many of them are gone now, but it was who's who of Yamhill County and especially the McMinnville Elks Lodge who had sponsored my troop 233 for over 60 years. I never used my achievement to get a job or advance to a better position as we were taught you need to earn what you go after. After all these years I still remember the 12 points of the scout law